The OnePlus 11R 5G, positioned as the latest 'value flagship' from the company, is garnering significant attention, potentially even surpassing the flagship OnePlus 11 5G (Review) announced simultaneously. Catering to OnePlus enthusiasts, the 11R 5G embodies the company's original ethos of delivering a multitude of premium features at a disruptive price, a rarity in the market. Marking a substantial upgrade from its predecessor, the 10R 5G (Review), the 11R 5G maintains a commendable balance without compromising on essential aspects.
Priced at Rs. 39,999 in India, the OnePlus 11R 5G boasts a flagship-grade processor, identical primary camera to the OnePlus 11 5G, and rapid charging. This combination of features at this price point sets it apart in the Indian smartphone landscape, making it an enticing choice for potential buyers. Let's delve into whether its on-paper promises translate to real-world performance.
OnePlus 11R 5G main camera samples
OnePlus 11R 5G Price in India
The base variant of the OnePlus 11R 5G, featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, is competitively priced at Rs. 39,999. Another variant with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is available at Rs. 44,999. While the base variant should suffice for most users, the second variant offers decent value for those requiring additional storage. Notably, OnePlus has followed a trend by skipping a 12GB RAM option and directly offering 16GB. The device is available in Sonic Black and Galactic Silver.
**OnePlus 11R 5G Design**
Surprisingly, the design of the OnePlus 11R 5G closely mirrors the more expensive OnePlus 11 5G, with subtle distinctions such as the absence of a Hasselblad logo, discreet antenna bands, and a centrally placed selfie camera serving as differentiators. While this parity diminishes the exclusivity of the 11 5G, it enhances the appeal of the 11R 5G, especially when compared to the divisive design of the 10R 5G.
The OnePlus 11R 5G retains the signature 'Alert slider' and introduces an infrared (IR) emitter, a first for OnePlus phones. The black variant features a matte-textured glass back that resists fingerprints but may lack grip.
**OnePlus 11R 5G Display**
Sporting a 6.74-inch display with curved edges similar to the 11 5G, the 11R 5G distinguishes itself with slightly narrower top and bottom bezels. However, the in-display fingerprint sensor's lower positioning may pose some inconvenience. The AMOLED panel offers a 1.5K resolution (2772 x 1240 pixels) with a 120Hz peak refresh rate, supporting HDR video playback (excluding Dolby Vision). The display incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the back and Dragontrail glass for scratch protection.
The retail package includes standard accessories such as stickers, a case, USB cable, 100W power adapter, and a SIM ejector tool.
**OnePlus 11R 5G Specifications and Software**
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, the OnePlus 11R 5G delivers robust performance. It features Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and supports multiple satellite navigation systems. Boasting nine 5G bands in India, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos enhancement, and a 5,000mAh battery supporting 100W fast wired charging, the device lacks wireless charging and an official IP rating. The phone runs OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13, promising three years of Android updates and four years of security updates.
The software experience mirrors that of the 11 5G, featuring OxygenOS customization options, shortcuts, gestures, and some legacy OxygenOS features like Zen Mode. Bloatware is minimal, with a few OnePlus apps and Google's suite, though the browser app redundancy remains.
**OnePlus 11R 5G Performance**
During testing, the OnePlus 11R 5G demonstrated excellent general performance. The fingerprint scanner and face recognition were responsive, ensuring a fluid interface with slick animations and no noticeable lag. The adaptive refresh rate of the display, varying between 40Hz and 120Hz, contributed to a smooth experience, although it may have a minor impact on battery life.
Gaming and multimedia performance were commendable, with the Snapdragon 8+ handling heavy games effortlessly. Asphalt 9: Legends performed well, and the gaming tools menu in OxygenOS provided useful insights. The phone exhibited minimal heating during gaming, with stereo speakers delivering good audio. Benchmarks included a score of 775,602 points in AnTuTu and 908/3,430 points in Geekbench 6's single and multi-core tests.
The 5,000mAh battery showcased excellent endurance, lasting over 21 hours in the HD video loop test. The 100W adapter facilitated rapid charging, fully charging the device in under 30 minutes. While lacking wireless charging, the speed of the wired charging compensated effectively.
**OnePlus 11R 5G Cameras**
The OnePlus 11R 5G emphasizes its main camera, a Sony IMX890 50-megapixel sensor with optical stabilization (OIS). However, the additional rear cameras align more closely with those of the OnePlus 10R 5G, falling short of the capabilities offered by the 11 5G. The camera app, similar to the 11 5G, features some changes, omitting the red shutter button, Xpan mode, and Hasselblad Pro mode.
Photo quality exhibited a cooler color tone compared to the 11 5G, even with AI scene enhancement disabled. While details were comparable, the 11R 5G occasionally lagged in image quality. Close-ups displayed good detail and colors, but the macro camera produced unsatisfactory results.
The ultra-wide camera
on the OnePlus 11R 5G yielded weaker details and colors compared to the 11 5G, particularly appearing washed out in daylight. Despite this, the camera app's automatic long exposure shots in low light ensured usable night photos.
The primary camera excelled in low-light conditions, capturing photos with excellent exposure, colors, and details. Autofocus proved reliable in low light, but digital zoom capabilities up to 10X were subpar. The selfie camera's output mirrored the 11 5G, delivering acceptable results with some compromises in sharpness, detail, and color accuracy. Night mode contributed to decent low-light selfies.
Video recording capabilities included up to 4K 60fps with the main rear camera, while the ultra-wide and selfie cameras were restricted to 1080p. The main rear camera produced impressive 4K videos with stabilization, but the ultra-wide camera exhibited noticeable weaknesses, especially in low light. The camera app featured various shooting modes such as Film and LOG video recording.
**Verdict**
The OnePlus 11R 5G is poised to captivate OnePlus enthusiasts seeking a flagship experience under Rs. 40,000. Offering stellar general performance, gaming capabilities, and remarkable battery life, the device excels in various aspects. The main camera, although potent, outshines the secondary cameras, leaving room for improvement. The striking resemblance to the pricier 11 5G enhances its flaunt value, appealing to users seeking an aesthetically pleasing device.
For those unconvinced, the impending Realme GT 3 with similar specifications and 240W wired charging support presents an alternative. Alternatively, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers IP68 rating and wireless charging at a comparable price. Considering other options, the top variant of the Nothing Phone 1, priced lower than the base variant of the 11R 5G, is worth exploring.
Despite room for enhancement, especially in the camera department, the OnePlus 11R 5G makes a solid comeback, building on the shortcomings of its predecessor.
- REVIEW
- KEY SPECS
- NEWS
- Good
- Premium design
- Very good battery life, 100W charging
- Lag-free performance
- Bright and vivid display
- Capable main camera
- Bad
- No IP rating or wireless charging
- Underwhelming secondary cameras
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